First winter storm & lessons learned

[ChickyWhicky]

The arctic cold & wind has arrived in Iowa. Temps well below 0F, windchill in the -40F, winds gusting 50 mph and several inches of snow. Checked the birds this a.m. to find snow had blown in through ventilation on west side. Birds had all retreated to east side of coop. East side was dry but some birds did have snow on them.
Moved birds to the (unfinished) coop inside the barn. Laid down fresh, dry bedding and straw. Filled up food dishes and got water going. Threw a heat lamp in one corner just in case anybody needed it. Everybody appears to be moving around. May be a little frostbite here and there. Will monitor and plan to keep in the barn coop til spring. Should be able to finish it up today and get the doors on so its secure for night time.
Kind of a scare but I think the birds will be fine. Its a darn good thing we had the barn coop started, which was actually just going to be an add on. It may now serve as their winter coop. We also know now we have to cover ventilation in snow/high winds. I think furnace filters will do the trick. Heres pics of the 4-5 foot drift in front of the coop. Should have put up snow fence. Another lesson learned.

 

[Pa Chicks]

I’m learning lessons as well. New to chickens and it’s currently -2 with wind chill of -26. I’m now seeing we’re my coop has some cracks and crevices that may need fixing though I don’t think there’s much draft from them. The coop is 16 degrees with one heat lamp on. I just checked on them and they won’t leave the coop (smart chickens). They are just walking around acting like chickens. I think this is a good sign? That’s awesome that you have an alternative coop for them!

 

[Percheron chick]

Just a little snow drift.

 

[aart]

That drift is crazy!!!
Glad it didn't encompass the coop.

 

[Chickeeaholic]

The arctic cold & wind has arrived in Iowa. Temps well below 0F, windchill in the -40F, winds gusting 50 mph and several inches of snow. Checked the birds this a.m. to find snow had blown in through ventilation on west side. Birds had all retreated to east side of coop. East side was dry but some birds did have snow on them.
Moved birds to the (unfinished) coop inside the barn. Laid down fresh, dry bedding and straw. Filled up food dishes and got water going. Threw a heat lamp in one corner just in case anybody needed it. Everybody appears to be moving around. May be a little frostbite here and there. Will monitor and plan to keep in the barn coop til spring. Should be able to finish it up today and get the doors on so its secure for night time.
Kind of a scare but I think the birds will be fine. Its a darn good thing we had the barn coop started, which was actually just going to be an add on. It may now serve as their winter coop. We also know now we have to cover ventilation in snow/high winds. I think furnace filters will do the trick. Heres pics of the 4-5 foot drift in front of the coop. Should have put up snow fence. Another lesson learned.
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It’s an unbelievable challenge what you folks up north are facing. My thoughts and prayer’s are sincerely with you. I live in West Virginia right next to Ohio. It’s been miserable but not as bad as where you are. I could only stand working outside a little at a time yesterday. My lungs literally hurt from being out there. I learned of many weaknesses in my coop design too. Similar problems you had. I have some work to do when things calm down.

 

[SmiYa0126]

It’s an unbelievable challenge what you folks up north are facing. My thoughts and prayer’s are sincerely with you. I live in West Virginia right next to Ohio. It’s been miserable but not as bad as where you are. I could only stand working outside a little at a time yesterday. My lungs literally hurt from being out there. I learned of many weaknesses in my coop design too. Similar problems you had. I have some work to do when things calm down.

Hear hear, I'm in Pa, not even complaining a little after reading this. Try to breathe more through your nose instead of mouth, that will help

 

[Chickeeaholic]

Hear hear, I'm in Pa, not even complaining a little after reading this. Try to breathe more through your nose instead of mouth, that will help

Thank you. I will do that. It was after coming in I thought I might be having a heart attack. I guess it happens to runners in the cold? I didn’t know it was a thing until now.

 

[ChickyWhicky]

Just a little snow drift.

That drift is crazy!!!
Glad it didn't encompass the coop.

It has grown immensely. I'd guess its 6 foot, its def taller than the coop roof.

 

[ChickyWhicky]

It’s an unbelievable challenge what you folks up north are facing. My thoughts and prayer’s are sincerely with you. I live in West Virginia right next to Ohio. It’s been miserable but not as bad as where you are. I could only stand working outside a little at a time yesterday. My lungs literally hurt from being out there. I learned of many weaknesses in my coop design too. Similar problems you had. I have some work to do when things calm down.

Thanks for the kind words. It was brutal thurs and friday. And to top it off our well froze up so no water most of friday. We did have to be outside to dig out our well pit to get in there.... I have lived in Iowa 30 years and never experienced weather quite this brutal. No fun thats for sure!

 

[ChickyWhicky]

Thank you. I will do that. It was after coming in I thought I might be having a heart attack. I guess it happens to runners in the cold? I didn’t know it was a thing until now.

Yes, cold air is rough on the resp system. Good idea to use a gator that covers mouth and nose. You only want warm air going into your lungs.